Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has asked members of the legal profession and the general public to disregard a recent publication by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) concerning the issuance of secured tamper-proof seals for Notaries Public, stating that the court is currently reviewing its engagement with the company appointed to produce the seals.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 25, 2026, by the Head of the Notary Public Unit of the Supreme Court, Hadiza Bamaiyi, the court said its attention had been drawn to an NBA publication dated June 21, 2026, which referenced a letter dated October 11, 2024, on the subject of secured tamper-proof seals for Notaries Public.
"The Supreme Court stated that the publication by the NBA on the issuance of 'Tamper Proof Seals for Notaries Public' should be disregarded," the statement read. The court clarified that it is currently reviewing its engagement with Strata Flex Nigeria Ltd. regarding the issuance of physical seals for Notaries Public.
The Supreme Court directed members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Notaries Public, and other stakeholders to channel all enquiries, requests for clarification, and correspondence relating to physical seals for Notaries Public to the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court pending further directives. "Accordingly, all enquiries, clarifications, or correspondence relating to physical seals for Notaries Public should be directed only to the Office of the Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria, pending further directives from the Court," the notice added.
The Supreme Court's clarification comes days after the NBA informed its members, particularly Notaries Public, that a letter from the Office of the Chief Registrar dated October 11, 2024, had authorised Strata Flex Nigeria Ltd. to issue secured tamper-proof seals for Notaries Public in Nigeria. In the notice published on June 21, 2026, the association said the initiative was designed to enhance the integrity, authenticity, security, and reliability of notarial acts and documents while protecting the public against forgery, unauthorised notarisation, and other abuses associated with notarial practice. The NBA consequently advised Notaries Public to comply with any directives, guidelines, and procedures that may be issued by the Supreme Court and Strata Flex regarding the acquisition and use of the seals.
Notaries Public are legal practitioners appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, through the Notary Public Unit of the Supreme Court, to serve as official, unbiased witnesses. They authenticate identities, administer oaths, and certify documents for local and international use. Tamper-proof seals are intended to serve as a security feature for verifying the authenticity of notarial acts and reducing the risk of forgery and misuse.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of notarial practice and safeguarding the public against abuse. However, with the court now reviewing its engagement with Strata Flex, the implementation of the physical seal regime and the role of the company in the notarial authentication process have been thrown into uncertainty.
The development is expected to attract significant attention within the legal community, particularly among Notaries Public and legal practitioners who rely on official seals in the discharge of their professional duties. Observers say the outcome of the court's review may have important implications for the administration, regulation, and authentication framework governing notarial practice in Nigeria. Until the review is concluded and further directives are issued, all communications on the subject must be directed exclusively to the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.
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